Les Baer Problem

[turnerinv]

HI, new to this so here it goes. I am shooting a Les Baer Premeir ll with 185 gr. cast bullet at med. velocity for PPC competiton. I have been getting peppered in the face with what I think is powder and get a black powder residue on my right arm (right handed shooter). I tried a lighter spring 14lb then went back to a 16lb with the same problem. I have shot this bullet for years and never had a problem untill last year and cannot figure it out. Any Ideas??

[John]

Does this happen with standard factory ammo?

[1911Tuner]

Check for a crack at the top of the ejection port adjacent to the breechface
on the left side, and adjacent to the first lug on the right.

[turnerinv]

I have some Fedral factory match ammo. that I will try this Thursday. I checked for the cracks as suggested and did not locate any.

[Joni Lynn]

My best guess is that the powder you're using isn't burning very well and you're getting a bunch of it blown out the ejection port during the ejection cycle.
If you load a powder like WW231 you'll find that when the load gets lighter it has more residue than if the pressure is raised a bit.
I load both 5.0 & 5.6 grains and the 5 grain load is dirtier.
The powder isn't reaching a high enough pressure to work well.
What powder & charge are you using.

[Bud White]

What powder are you using I think Joni is on the right track

[turnerinv]

Currently using 4.2gr. of Tite Group.

[Bud White]

where did you get load data from i cant even find a load in my 2 books nor online for a 185 cast

[turnerinv]

I called the tech's at Hodgdon who advised to start at 5.0gr. But in the quest for lighter recoil in the PPC game I have worked it down to much I guess.

[Bud White]

yeah i would up it a bit

[turnerinv]

I am looking for a new bullet, powder combo for next PPC season. Thanks everyone glad I joined your forum.

[Bud White]

Dont shoot ppc but let us know what ya come up with im looking for some softball loads myself

[turnerinv]

Shooting up whats left of my Star bullets who have gone out of business. I will let you know what I come up with when I work up the load.